SAN JOSE, Calif. — The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team has its own version of a study abroad program this season.

Because the Rainbow Warriors travel so often, they often set aside extra time on the road to focus on homework — for both the classroom and basketball court.

Yesterday, for example, the 'Bows arrived in San Jose, but did not practice. Instead, they went through an academic study session followed by a film-scouting session on San Jose State.

"We need the rest from the trip," Hawai'i coach Riley Wallace said. "But rather than give them the whole day off, we get to work on the mental part of the game."

Hawai'i will play a Western Athletic Conference game against San Jose State tomorrow at The Event Center. The 'Bows won at Idaho on Wednesday to improve to 15-9 overall and 8-5 in the WAC.

San Jose State, which lost 87-80 to Fresno State last night, is 6-21 overall and 2-11 in the conference.

It took around nine hours for the 'Bows to go from checking out of their hotel in Moscow, Idaho, to checking in to their hotel in San Jose.

"No delays or anything like that, it just takes a long time to get from there to here," Wallace said. "That's why it's good that we have the extra day on this trip. We can rest (yesterday) and still get in a good practice (today)."

The 'Bows usually get just one day in between road games, but they will have two days this week to prepare for the Spartans. During last night's scouting session, the 'Bows went over film from their 83-68 home victory over San Jose State on Feb. 4.

Associate coach Bob Nash was constantly rewinding and fast-forwarding the tape, breaking down the tendencies and strategies of the Spartans.

"Most teams will stick with their same stuff," Nash said. "On occasion, you might see a team throw in a new wrinkle. But that's where it's important for the guys to know their opponent."

Nash even prepares a scouting report on paper for each player to study the night before a game.

"You see it on film, you study it, and that way you can recall it in the next practice or game," Wallace said. "It makes a difference."

The 'Bows are also trying to make a difference in the classroom.

This is the sixth of seven road trips this season for Hawai'i. To help compensate for the missed time in the classroom, an academics adviser has been traveling with the team, and every player must attend a 90-minute study session each day on the road.

"We just need to make sure they keep up with their school work," Wallace said. "And this group seems to be pretty good about it."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.